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WILLIAM M. CULLEN 147
would not, considering his disdain of the apprentices. And with that done
we went about finishing our day as a dedicated crew; and I have to say
Dear Reader most everyone kept their drinking of the ale to a minimum
for most were concerned about doing their jobs more efficiently, with the
idea of getting out and finding this wretched man. I have to say I was
quite pleased that they thought we could find him; however, I knew our
odds were quite long.
Before Wygate and I left that afternoon, about a quarter after five,
I had informed Mr. Watt and Mr. Trundle that we would be working
Regent Street that evening since both girls of late had been abducted
along that main thoroughfare. They agreed with my reasoning saying
they would inform the others as well, telling me that they should be out
there within an hour s time; and with that Wygate and I left for Vyola s.
Regent Street, Dear Reader, is a main thoroughfare that traverses
through London s West End. It contains several tall buildings, some as tall
as five-stories, with many businesses, shops and taverns along its north
and south route. One can find anything they want along this strand of
road, if one were so inclined to look, as we had suspected our killer had
done many a time.
Once at Vyola s I informed her, as well, that we would be working
Regent Street that evening, telling her my theory after learning where
April Collier had been abducted. I also told her that I wanted to inform
Alice and Maggie about this, wanting to have some of their women out
working on Regent Street as well. Vyola agreed that would be a good
idea, for the extra protection. Therefore, while she worked on Wygate,
I went over to Hyde Park to find and inform Alice and Maggie of our
evening s plans, to which they agreed.
By the time I got back to Vyola s Wygate was ready. He looked, well,
rather plain; not all dressed up like before. Vyola, who, apparently, was
learning from her observations, had decided to not use a silk dress this
time, but a linen one she had bought (along with some others); plus she
decided to forgo the face powder since the other ladies were not using
any giving Wygate a more lower-class look, a look of a young girl who,
supposedly, had been thrown out of her home rather recently.
With Wygate ready to go, the three of us decided to walk over to
Regent Street, since it was nearby; and when we arrived at the corner of
Oxford Street Alice and some of the ladies were already there waiting for
us.
148 THE PRINTER S VAMPYR
As we showed off Wygate s new look, Mr. Watt and Mr. Trundle
arrived with some of the men, telling us that not all of the men would be
coming out tonight since some of their wives, and loved ones, didn t like
the idea of their men being out and about with the ladies of Hyde Park.
Therefore, we had to make do with the few men we had. As usual Wygate
would go with Alice, heading down Regent Street to start. We figured
it would take each of us about an hour or so to circumnavigate Regent
Street, going down one side, crossing over and making our way back up,
going at one s own pace. Therefore, we figured three rounds each should
make for a good night.
As Wygate and Alice went Vyola and I followed, staying just a few
yards behind them; and just a few yards behind us were Mr. Watt and
Mr. Trundle. Everyone else would scatter about looking for prime
observation points in which to do their respected work and duties.
Unfortunately, nothing much happened that night, until the incident .
A couple of hours in Wygate had gotten a few offers, more than
before; however, Alice told these gentlemen that she Wymina was
on her curse and was not available for service, which most understood
kindly, except one stupid sod who had to go and get belligerent.
Why is she out then? he had asked, obviously drunk. Shouldn t
shouldn t she be home . . . resting?
To take in the air good sir; and to be my companion, replied Alice,
most kindly, trying her best to deflect him away from Wygate.
He became peeved by this, saying coarsely to Alice, I don t I don t
give a good G damn about her bloody curse ; it s her bloody mouth
that interests me! This brash statement not only stunned Wygate but
caused him considerable concern.
You sir, exclaimed Alice, are no gentleman! trying to shove him
away.
Piss off you old whore, shoving poor Alice out of his way. I want
this wench to start . . . and that was it for he, quite literally, fell silent as
two of our mates Bromley and Wilson stepped out of the shadows,
in a rather foul mood I might add, cracking this stupid sod upside his
head; and before he knew it, he was back in his own carriage, groggily,
calling it a night. And soon after that we decided to call it a night as well.
Could this have been our killer? Quite doubtful for he was behaving
quite foolishly; and he was drunk. Not a way our man would act; that,
of which, I was certain. However, it was good to know that our men
were ready to uphold their oath and protect Wygate. I asked Wygate,
WILLIAM M. CULLEN 149
later on, when he was being returned to normal, if this had bothered
him and to see if he wanted to stop. He said it did frighten him a bit,
at first, especially when he shoved past Alice and tried to grab him. He
had wished he had thought of drawing his dagger then, but was certainly
relieved when our mates had come to his rescue when they did; however,
it was not enough stop him from going forward with our plan. Good
man, our Wygate.
After I got Wygate home and I returned to my boardinghouse, my
landlady had stepped out to speak with me, telling me that a couple of
odd blokes showed up, asking for me, saying they wish to have a word
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